Mass testing starts in Merthyr Tydfil today
MERTHYR Tydfil will today become the first place in Wales to undertake mass testing for coronavirus.
Merthyr Tydfil has a stubbornly high number of cases of Covid19, although cases have fallen substantially from a peak of more than 700 a couple of weeks ago.
By piloting mass testing, the aim is to identify more positive cases and help those who do test positive to isolate to prevent them passing it on to anyone else, which should reduce the spread of the virus in the community.
The pilot is being run by the Welsh Government, UK Government, Merthyr Tydfil council, Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board and the Ministry of Defence, with logistical support from the armed forces.
Everyone living or working in Merthyr Tydfil County Borough over the age of 11 who doesn’t have symptoms can just turn up without booking but children under 18 will need parental consent.
There will be 14 sites in total, and from today people without symptoms can get a test at Merthyr Tydfil leisure centre, 7am9pm, seven days a week.
This is only for people without symptoms as those with symptoms should use the mobile testing unit, which is currently in the college car park.
More details about other testing locations will be added when they become available and some will stay open until December 23.
There are thousands of tests available and they are free to take.
The test involves what are called Lateral Flow Devices (LFD) which can give results within 30 minutes, without the need for processing the swabs in a lab.
This is the first time they will be used widely in Wales and they’ve been used in Liverpool.
Those being tested will swab themselves, then give the swab to a trained technician to process on the spot.
If someone tests positive in an LFD test, they will then have a traditional swab test to confirm they have Covid-19 and will be asked to go home so they can self-isolate immediately.
The advice is that people should have two tests over 14 days, or three tests over a three week period.
Parents of pupils aged 11-18 are being sent letters asking if they are willing to consent to their children being tested.
The council is working with partners and the school nursing service to facilitate the voluntary programme within schools but parents don’t have to get their children tested if they do not want to.
The military will be providing logistical support in setting up and running the tests, having also assisted with the pilot in Liverpool.
Dr Robin Howe, of Public Health Wales, said: “From tomorrow, Saturday, 21 November, everyone living, working and studying in Merthyr Tydfil County Borough will be eligible for a free Covid-19 test, whether they have symptoms or not.
“This mass-testing exercise will help to understand how the virus has spread in Merthyr and to break the chains of transmission in the area. Merthyr has one of the highest rates of coronavirus in Wales and this will help to get the virus under control.
“Public Health Wales encourages as many people as possible to come forward to be tested. For the first time in Wales, Lateral Flow Devices will be used. For more information about the testing exercise visit the MTCBC website.”